Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 199

Bariel has numerous rings of history. Some rings fade with time, while others display a distinctly deep color. Bariel’s history related to the Atan tribe belonged to the latter.

‘The Great Monster Invasion.’

It was an event that greatly shocked Bariel, which had considered itself a safe zone from monster attacks compared to other countries, claiming to have the blessing of the gods.

I had learned that due to an upheaval in the north, the Atan tribe gained power, and the imperial soldiers, including the royal guards at the time, subjugated them.

“The Atan tribe, I know of them.”

Ian moved to the end of the corridor with Jeirutt and lowered his voice.

Servants constantly changed the soiled cloths, and the summoned medical staff could be seen rushing into Beric’s room. Ian muttered indifferently while watching.

“But why do you mention the Atan tribe? Beric lost his family, but he’s a person of Bariel born in the frontier. If it’s because of the Black Sword, it’s a misunderstanding. He obtained it by chance on his way to the central region.”

He has the letter sent by the Carenna market chief. It’s equivalent to the results of interrogating the bandit leader, proving the Black Sword wasn’t originally Beric’s. Ian could vividly recall the words written in the letter.

-Regardless of its truthfulness, please understand that I am relaying it as reported. The Atan tribe are those who subsist by drinking the blood of monsters, so it’s questionable if they are truly human.

The reason those who were only rumored to have emerged prominently during the Great Upheaval was precisely that. As they devoured monsters, the Atan desired more chaos, and the imperial army sought to stop and eradicate them.

According to historical records, the empire claimed that victory. Although it wasn’t revealed whether the Atan were the cause of the Great Upheaval, it was evident that it left a significant trace in the rings of history.

“Your Grace.”

Jeirutt cautiously swallowed his dry saliva.

“The Atan tribe is said to be a manifesting tribe. They don’t continue generations through reproduction, but at some point, they awaken and realize their identity.”

“…!”

“If one possesses the habits of the Atan, where Beric was born and who his parents are is of little importance. Even his race.”

“List what those habits are.”

“Displaying madness beyond belligerence, being obsessed with victory and defeat, having no qualms about harming life, raw morality. Exceptional recovery and wondrous vitality surpassing common sense are representative examples.”

Every single one describes Beric. Ian opened the window to cool his complex mind for a moment. The cool breeze seemed to dispel the smell of blood.

‘Awakening. Then, when monsters appeared in Bariel due to the Great Upheaval, it would be another reason the Atan tribe gained power. Contact with monsters acted as a trigger.’

“It’s not a certainty, but it’s indeed highly suspicious. Please keep it in mind. This is the palace, after all. No one knows when he might awaken and turn.”

“Captain Jeirutt, that’s a hasty remark.”

“Minister.”

“He’s my subordinate, so I’ll handle it.”

Jeirutt is unaware that the Great Upheaval will occur. Monsters will swarm, and the Atan tribe will undoubtedly gain power, but what if Beric stays by the empire’s side then?

‘It would be problematic if Beric is absorbed into the Atan tribe. Isn’t he strong enough to make Captain Jeirutt uncomfortable? It’s better to persuade him to monopolize monsters alone on the empire’s side. And above all-‘

Ian unintentionally turned to Beric’s room. Faint groans could be heard. It was the sound of the unconscious fellow unknowingly moaning in pain.

It’s only natural to give trust to someone who lost his form under his orders.

“…I’ll keep an eye on him.”

“I am one who protects the safety of the palace.”

“I, too, am no less dedicated to the palace than you.”

Don’t be arrogant. At Ian’s light rebuke, Jeirutt bowed his head. While he was wandering outside the palace without knowing the reason, Ian saved the emperor, suppressed the rebellion, and was at the forefront of directing the cleanup to restore daily life.

Jeirutt quickly acknowledged his mistake.

“My apologies.”

“I’ll think deeply about it, so don’t worry too much. Isn’t finding Barsabe the priority now?”

Whether Beric is Atan or not, he’s lying torn apart, and Barsabe is missing. With the priorities clear, Jeirutt saluted and bade farewell.

Shing!

“To add to the rumor, the Atan tribe is destined to return to their base. Perhaps it’s a natural instinct since they’re scattered everywhere. Thus, they eventually encounter traces of Atan, so I wonder if it’s truly a coincidence that Beric, who was in the frontier, came to the palace and even grasped the Atan’s Black Sword.”

It was a statement almost certain that Beric was Atan. Instead of responding, Ian saluted back and sent him off, then returned to Beric’s room.

The air was warm from the mages’ heat. Ian approached the bed and made his presence known.

“Ah, Sir Ian.”

“Good work. Switch out.”

“It’s all right. I slept a lot yesterday.”

“I’m fine too.”

Zing. Zing.

Ian pushed aside the mage infusing mana into Beric and sat in his place instead. The torn flesh was roughly stitched together. His golden eyes fixated on Beric and wouldn’t leave.

‘Atan, huh.’

Beric, what did you do in the original history? Did you die rolling in Derga Brats’ mercenary unit? Or did you die following the fate of the Atan and heading north?

‘Either way, you must have died drawing a ring in Bariel’s history.’

Ian patted the back of his hand, but Beric kept moaning unconsciously.

How much time had passed? When the mages were all exhausted and the doctors were packing up needles with nothing left to stitch…

“Sir Ian, I think you need to review a report for a moment.”

Romandro brought documents. His swollen eyes were from constantly crying at the sight of Beric’s miserable state.

“The date for His Highness Mariv’s trial has been set. They say it’s in four days. The judiciary contacted us, asking to submit all relevant evidence. Can I send up the interrogation results?”

It contained Mariv’s vivid nonsense, so he was cautious. Didn’t he keep giving absurd answers like Ian made him do it, Ian was behind it?

But that didn’t mean they could cut out only the necessary parts. Ian nodded and granted permission.

“Four days later. If swift, a week.”

If swift, a week until the trial ends and Mariv is executed. In other words, he only had a week left to live.

“According to the law, it’s a public execution. Prepare the palace thoroughly for that day. How many in total?”

“Including His Highness, six key figures. His Highness Mariv will likely be beheaded, while the others will be hanged. No matter how much he was stripped of the imperial family name, he is still His Majesty the Emperor’s son.”

‘Derga was also sentenced to hanging.’

There’s nothing more dishonorable than dangling and struggling in front of spectators. Cutting it off at once for the sake of dignity. Beheading was like the palace’s last gift to Mariv.

“What about Prince Gale?”

“We requested a postponement. There’s no precedent for referring both princes simultaneously. His Highness Gale’s physical condition is also a mess, so even if he stands trial, will he be able to answer properly? And well, various interests are entangled. Hehe. Ahem.”

Romandro swallowed his words and laughed awkwardly. Although there were only exhausted mages around, he was being cautious just in case.

If Gale is alive, it’s easier to catch the Hayman family, so the forces checking Hayman have joined forces to delay Gale’s trial.

“I see. Understood.”

Ian signed the report and handed it to Romandro. The moment he received the paper, Ian thought of something and asked firmly.

“The security at Prince Gale’s residence?”

“What? We’ve tightened it as you instructed.”

“Didn’t the two mages come here?”

Unexpectedly, mages were absent to heal Beric. Guards were posted in front, but the opponents were Arsen and Hayman. Especially according to Xiaoshi’s experience, Arsen was a particularly watchful target.

‘He easily entered Gale’s residence overnight. I still don’t know what happened. It seems like he’s definitely hiding something.’

Magic? No, if so, Ian would have known first.

In his previous life, Ian was given the title of “The First Noble Mage.” It implied there was no one with mana even among the royals.

‘It can’t be magic.’

Zing.

Perhaps from pouring out mana or from worry, Ian’s fine brows furrowed slightly. Romandro quickly embraced the documents against his chest and assured.

“You don’t need to worry!”

Gale’s safety is their own safety! He looked quite confident in his bold declaration.

At his shout, Beric grumbled irritably.

“Ah, noisy…”

“Gasp! Sorry, sorry. Beric. But are you conscious?”

As Romandro grabbed his hand, Beric wriggled and pulled it out. It was an unconscious action, but Romandro seemed a bit hurt, his eyes welling up with tears again.

Ian stood up, wiping the blood with a handkerchief.

“Well, let’s go take a look. I’m curious to see how reliable the security is.”

***

There were guards stationed in front of Gale’s residence, but even a short distance away, it was difficult to find any signs of people. With everyone preoccupied with handling the palace situation, only the minimum personnel were deployed.

Swish.

Arsen entered the palace with three or four sturdy subordinates. His steps were confident and without hesitation, as if he had frequented the place numerous times. Arsen instructed his loyal subordinates following behind, his silver hair fluttering.

“When I’m inside my brother’s bedroom, no one is allowed to enter.”

“Yes, Your Highness. But Sir Ian has forbidden all access to His Highness Gale’s residence. Even entering is a bit…”

At the subordinate’s interjection, Arsen stopped and turned around. Could the eyes of such a small child be so sharp? The subordinate awkwardly fell silent and lowered his gaze.

“Refrain from unnecessary remarks beyond what I ask.”

“My, my apologies.”

Tap tap tap!

As they turned into the corridor, the sound of footsteps grew louder due to the marble floor. The closer they got to the residence, the more the subordinates tensed up and lowered their posture, but Arsen remained upright without change.

Strangely, there was no one around wherever the child went. Even though it was about time to encounter someone.

“Wait here.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Swish.

Arsen signaled his subordinates with his eyes and moved ahead first. Just around the corner was Gale’s residence, but no presence could be heard. One subordinate poked his head out in suspicion, but the two guards at the door were calmly looking straight ahead.

Swish.

It was strange and surprising. As the subordinates hid their bodies and waited for Arsen’s return, an unfamiliar sound came from far away.

“No, so I heard it like this?”

“Yeah. That wasn’t heavy at all.”

“Wanna try? Let’s do it properly for once.”

“Come in. Ah, let’s do it!”

The savage warriors in rags were the Cheonrye. They held their breath even more and lowered their presence. They didn’t know why they were at Gale’s residence.

“I’m hungry. Let’s stop and eat.”

“By the way, where did Beric go? He’s not around, that bastard. He slipped away.”

“Ah, wait.”

The Cheonrye warriors, who were chattering individually, suddenly stopped at once. With their beastly senses, they detected a strange energy.

They exchanged nods and quietly lowered their bodies.

“…I smell a rat.”